About Us

Our Constitution states that the primary objective of the Falkland Islands Association (FIA) is to assist the people of the Falkland Islands to decide their own future for themselves in accordance with their own wishes.

Several Members of Parliament are honorary members who support the FIA and the Islanders cause. The Falkland Islands Government Representative in London, Ms Sukey Cameron, attends the Executive Committee meetings. We liaise closely with the Falkland Islands Government and try to link up with all Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) when they visit the UK.

The Association publishes a widely acclaimed Newsletter which is free to members and which is sent to a wide range of people who are able to influence government policy and public opinion - Members of Parliament and of the House of Lords, and journalists.

The Association monitors political and press activity which may in any way undermine the Falkland Islanders' interests, taking appropriate action when such threats are identified - seeking meetings with ministers or officials when necessary and rebutting hostile, inaccurate or misleading press reports.

In December, on the nearest Saturday to Battle Day (8 December), the Association lays wreaths at the Cenotaph to commemorate those who lost their lives in and around the Falkland Islands from the naval battles of Coronel and the Falkland Islands in 1914 to the Falklands conflict in 1982. The ceremony is followed by the Annual General Meeting and a buffet lunch.

For the future, the Association will continue to support the Falkland Islanders in their political aspirations, the protection of their environment and the development of their natural resources both on land and in and beneath the waters surrounding the Falkland Islands. Like the British Armed Forces reservists, the Association stands ready to move into action should any crisis similar to 1968 or 1982 occur again.

The FIA has a long history. It was first set up as the Falkland Islands Emergency Committee in 1968 in response to secret negotiations between the UK and Argentine Governments which encompassed the possibility of a transfer of sovereignty. As the UK Falkland Islands Committee (FIC), it continued throughout the 1970s mobilising UK public opinion agains the various ideas being proposed, such as condominium and lease-back, and in 1982 it helped to generate strong cross-party support in the UK Parliament for the expulsion of the Argentine occupying forces and for the future defence of the Falkland Islands. In 1984, the FIC was re-formed as the FIA with its own constitution. Since then, the FIA has continued to help to support in the UK and elsewhere for the Falkland Islanders' right to self-determination.

The Association welcomes applications for membership from anyone who supports the objective stated above. Any person over the age of eighteen and any corporation is eligible for election to full membership. If you are interested click here for more information.